The Government of Canada announced funding for seven research projects to help in long term recovery of Fort McMurray.
The projects will be funded through a $3.4-million partnership between the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian Red Cross, Alberta Innovates and other partners.
“The research projects announced today are crucial for adding to what we know about how best to help those working through the fear and stress of evacuating a natural disaster zone, losing their homes and rebuilding their lives. The Government of Canada continues to be committed to helping the residents of Fort McMurray recover and rebuild,” said Jane Philpott, minister of health.
It has been almost a year since the wildfire tore through the community and as many residents are rebuilding their lives they are faced with numerous impacts of the wildfires and evacuation.
The seven studies will focus on:
- Mental health needs of resident
- Whether or not the residual ash from the fires pose health risks
- If career, part-time and volunteer firefighter’s respiratory or mental health have been damaged by their exposure to the fires
- Compare the level of chemical contaminants, before and after the wildfires in outlying communities
- How the health and well-being of the Indigenous residents were impacted by the wildfires
- How the fire and evacuation affected women who were pregnant and new borns
- How the wildfires and evacuation effected the psychological and emotional health of children and adolescents 5-18 years of age
